Sports

By DAVE CAMPBELL AP Pro Football Writer EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The calmness and optimism Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Ed Donatell pours into the job has not publicly wavered amid persistent struggles for his group. The pass defense hasn’t held up nearly that well. The Vikings have allowed 1,678 yards through the air over the

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Charlotte Hornets All-Star point guard LaMelo Ball returned Wednesday night against the Detroit Pistons after missing 11 games because of an ankle injury. Ball played in only his fourth game of the season. The Hornets have lost five straight to fall to 7-20. Ball was sidelined after reinjuring his left ankle

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim has taken a leave of absence from the organization because of a health-related issue. The team acknowledged Keim’s health issues on Wednesday, but didn’t elaborate. Quentin Harris and Adrian Wilson will handle his duties on an interim basis. The team said it wouldn’t have any

By SYLVIE CORBET Associated Press PARIS (AP) — Crowds in Paris and other French cities erupted in shouts of joy as France advanced to the World Cup final Wednesday, while disappointed Morocco fans mingled with the exuberant supporters of the winning team, paying tribute to the African country’s unprecedented achievement. Football fans streamed to the

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Alissa Pili scored 25 points, Gianna Kneepkens had 17 points, six rebounds and five assists and No. 13 Utah beat Colorado 85-58 in a Pac-12 opener for both teams. Pili scored 20-plus for the fourth straight game, including back-to-back 28-point performances. She was 10 of 14 from the field and

By PAT GRAHAM AP Sports Writer ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson stretched and tossed some passes on the field before team drills at practice Wednesday. Wilson is in the concussion protocol after getting knocked out of Denver’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last weekend. If Wilson can’t play Sunday it will

By BETH HARRIS AP Sports Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that pitcher Noah Syndergaard and the Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to a deal. It’s worth $13 million for one year. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the agreement hasn’t been announced.

By SYLVIE CORBET Associated Press PARIS (AP) — Crowds in Paris and other French cities erupted in shouts of joy as France advanced to the World Cup final, while disappointed Morocco fans mingled with the exuberant supporters of the winning team. Football fans streamed to the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris, shooting firecrackers and red flares,

WASHINGTON (AP) — First baseman Matt Adams has returned to the Washington Nationals via a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training after being out of baseball since July 2021. Adams has not been a full-time player in the majors since 2019, when he hit 20 homers for the Nationals during the regular

By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Hockey Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Alex Ovechkin is already on the verge of his next big milestone after recording a hat trick to become just the third NHL player with 800 goals. He is just two goals two from passing Gordie Howe for second. The longtime Washington Capitals captain can climb

By RALPH D. RUSSO AP College Football Writer Mississippi State is promoting defensive coordinator Zach Arnett to head coach to replace Mike Leach, who died suddenly of a heart condition earlier this week. Mississippi State was working to finalize a four-year contract with the 36-year-old Arnett, a person with knowledge of the decision told The

By STEVE DOUGLAS AP Sports Writer AL KHOR, Qatar (AP) — Kylian Mbappé vs. Lionel Messi. It’s the World Cup final just about everyone was waiting for — and hoping for. France and Mbappé are headed back to the biggest game in soccer, and to a much-anticipated matchup with Argentina, after ending Morocco’s historic run

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired reliever J.P. Feyereisen from the Tampa Bay Rays for minor league left-hander Jeff Belge. Feyereisen was designated for assignment Tuesday when the Rays finalized right-hander Zach Eflin’s $40 million, three-year contract. Feyereisen underwent right shoulder surgery on Dec. 7 for a cleanup of his

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Auburn has hired former Tulsa coach Philip Montgomery as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach and Ron Roberts as defensive coordinator. New coach Hugh Freeze announced the hires of the two veteran coaches on Wednesday. Mongomery was fired after going 5-7 in his eighth season at Tulsa. He went 43-53 and led

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The surging Pittsburgh Penguins will have to try to keep their hot streak going without defenseman Jeff Petry and forward Jason Zucker. The Penguins have placed Petry on long-term injured reserve with an upper-body injury. Zucker is out for at least one week with a lower-body injury. The two veterans have been

By ANNE M. PETERSON AP Sports Writer An investigation commissioned by the National Women’s Soccer League and its players union found “widespread misconduct” directed at players dating back to the beginnings nearly a decade ago of the country’s top women’s professional league. A report detailing the results of the year-long investigation was published Wednesday, a

AL KHOR, Qatar (AP) — Kylian Mbappe has attended to a fan who was apparently struck by a stray practice ball ahead of the World Cup semifinal match between France and Morocco. Mbappe was seen checking on the welfare of a France supporter who appeared to be dazed after the incident at Al Bayt Stadium.